Quick Pickled Kohlrabi Recipe (2024)

Published: / Modified: by Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN / This post may contain affiliate links / Leave a Comment

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If you’re wondering about preserving kohlrabi, you have to try this pickled kohlrabi recipe! It’s crunchy and zesty with tons of flavor in each spear. Plus, it keeps for a while in the refrigerator so you can enjoy kohlrabi for weeks.

Quick Pickled Kohlrabi Recipe (1)

Pickling vegetables is one of my favorite methods of preserving them for later use, especially if I have too much of something on hand and want to avoid food waste. Some of my favorites include my Quick Pickled Red Onions and Pickled Celery, but this new pickled kohlrabi is already climbing the ranks!

It turns out that kohlrabi has the perfect texture for pickling. It’s refreshingly crisp and becomes even more so after soaking in a quick vinegar brine. Plus, you can cut kohlrabi into spears — the ideal pickle shape!

So if you find yourself with a lot of kohlrabi in your CSA share box or if you just picked it up at the farmers market for the first time, this recipe is for you. Enjoy it as a snack or use it in recipes like salads and slaws. Whatever you do, remember to report back and let me know! For another way to try kohlrabi, see the Sautéed Kohlrabi.

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  • Ingredients and Substitutions
  • Variations
  • Instructions
  • Storage
  • Serving
  • More Kohlrabi Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe
  • 💬 Comments
Quick Pickled Kohlrabi Recipe (2)

Ingredients and Substitutions

  • Kohlrabi: You can use purple or green. If you have a lot of bulbs, double or triple the recipe. Just remember that you’ll need more or bigger jars!
  • Vinegar: I used white wine vinegar, but you can substitute red wine or apple cider vinegar.
  • Water: Use equal parts water and vinegar for the brine.
  • Sugar: Granulated sugar works best in pickled vegetable recipes IMO, but you can sub other types of sugar.
  • Salt: Table, kosher, or sea salts all work.
  • Dried dill: Substitute fresh (1 to 2 teaspoons instead of ½ teaspoon dried) if that’s what you have.
  • Whole peppercorns: Omit these if you don’t want a little spice. Whole peppercorns are preferred, since they infuse the brine with flavor, but you can use a few shakes of ground black pepper if that’s what you have.
Quick Pickled Kohlrabi Recipe (3)

Variations

Pickled kohlrabi is so easy to customize! Keep the main brine ingredients the same (vinegar, water, salt, and sugar), but feel free to play around with the other seasonings you add. You can add mustard, celery, or fennel seeds, red pepper flakes (for some heat), garlic, or fresh herbs.

Instructions

The full recipe card with ingredient quantities is at the bottom of the post. Here’s a preview of the steps with photos to guide you.

Quick Pickled Kohlrabi Recipe (4)

Peel and cut the kohlrabi into thick matchsticks/spears. See How to Peel Kohlrabi for tips. If you don’t want spears, you can also pickle kohlrabi in cubes or thin, slaw-like pieces.

Quick Pickled Kohlrabi Recipe (5)

Combine the brine ingredients, except the dill, in a saucepan. Bring to a simmer and cook, stirring occasionally, for a few minutes until the salt and sugar dissolve.

Quick Pickled Kohlrabi Recipe (6)

Stuff the spears into a wide mouth glass jar, at least 16 ounces. I like to use these Ball mason jars. If you only have smaller jars, you can divide the ingredients into 2 of them.

Quick Pickled Kohlrabi Recipe (7)

Stir the dill into the prepared brine, then pour it over the kohlrabi spears. Seal the jar and let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to cool. Then, transfer the jar to the refrigerator.

Storage

Pickled kohlrabi lasts for at least 2 weeks in the refrigerator (and likely longer, if you don’t eat it all first). Remember that this recipe is not intended for making canned kohlrabi that’s shelf-stable. It is a quick/refrigerator pickle recipe.

Quick Pickled Kohlrabi Recipe (8)

Serving

If you’re wondering what pickled kohlrabi tastes like, it’s similar in texture to broccoli stems and tastes like a cross between broccoli and pickled cabbage. The dill provides a hint of that signature pickle taste too. I like to eat pickled kohlrabi straight from the jar, but you can also cut it up into thin matchsticks for a kohlrabi slaw or use it in salads (even egg or chicken salad!) and on charcuterie boards.

More Kohlrabi Recipes

  • Sautéed Kohlrabi (with the greens)
  • Lemon Dill Kohlrabi Fritters
  • How to Peel Kohlrabi (with Video)
  • Whole Roasted Kohlrabi with Pomegranate Reduction

See more Kohlrabi →

I’d love to hear how you like this recipe! Rate/review using the stars on the recipe card or in the comments, and follow the Veg World on YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Looking for something totally different? Browse the recipe library.

📖 Recipe

Quick Pickled Kohlrabi Recipe (13)

Quick Pickled Kohlrabi

Refrigerator pickled kohlrabi is a delicious way to preserve this unique vegetable! Vinegar, dill, and peppercorns contribute a ton of flavor to every spear.

Print Pin Rate

Prep Time: 15 minutes mins

Cook Time: 5 minutes mins

Resting Time: 30 minutes mins

Total Time: 50 minutes mins

Servings: 8 ¼-cup servings

Calories: 25kcal

Author: Lizzie Streit, MS, RDN

Equipment

  • Wide mouth glass jars (at least 16 ounces)

Ingredients

  • 1 pound kohlrabi - about 1 medium bulb
  • ½ cup white wine vinegar - can sub red wine or apple cider vinegar
  • ½ cup water
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • ½ teaspoon whole peppercorns
  • ½ teaspoon dried dill - can sub 1 to 2 teaspoons fresh

Instructions

  • Peel and slice the kohlrabi into spears/thick matchsticks. See How to Peel Kohlrabi for more tips.

  • In a saucepan, combine the white wine vinegar, water, sugar, salt, and peppercorns. Bring to a simmer and cook for a few minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sugar and salt dissolve. Remove from heat.

  • Stuff the kohlrabi spears into a wide mouth glass jar, at least 16 ounces. If you only have smaller jars, divide the kohlrabi across 2 or 3 of them.

  • Mix the dill into the brine. Pour the brine over the kohlrabi spears. You may have a little extra brine.

  • Seal the jar(s). Let it sit at room temperature for 30 minutes to cool before transferring to the fridge.

  • You can enjoy the kohlrabi right away after 30 minutes or let it chill in the fridge overnight before eating.

  • Leave a rating or review by tapping the stars on this recipe card (above) or in the comments section (at the end of the post)!

Notes

  • Keep the sealed jar in the fridge for up to 2 weeks. Pickled kohlrabi can often last longer than 2 weeks, but inspect it for any signs of mold or soiling before eating. Keep in mind that this is not a canning recipe and is not intended to make shelf-stable kohlrabi, so you have the store the jar in the refrigerator.
  • Enjoy the spears on their own as a snack, sliced into thin matchsticks for a slaw, or added to charcuterie boards.

Nutrition

Serving: 0.25cup | Calories: 25kcal | Carbohydrates: 5g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 0.1g | Saturated Fat: 0.01g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.03g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.01g | Sodium: 304mg | Potassium: 210mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 26IU | Vitamin C: 35mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 0.4mg

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More Pickles and Preserves

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  • Quick Pickled Red Onions (No Cook)
  • Pickled Celery (Quick and Spicy)

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Quick Pickled Kohlrabi Recipe (2024)

FAQs

How do chefs quickly pickle vegetables? ›

Place the vinegar, water, salt, and sugar (if using) in a small saucepan over high heat. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the salt and sugar. Pour the brine over the vegetables, filling each jar to within 1/2 inch of the top. You might not use all the brine.

Which vinegar is best for quick pickling? ›

Tips and tricks for making quick pickled cucumbers: White vinegar is the traditional vinegar for this recipe and a great place to start. If you know that you like apple cider or rice wine vinegar they are also good.

How to preserve kohlrabi? ›

Wash thoroughly and store with leaf stems removed. Kohlrabi can be stored in the refrigerator for several weeks. Storage life can be extended if kohlrabi is placed in sealed perforated plastic bags. To prevent cross-contamination, keep kohlrabi away from raw meat and meat juices.

Do I need to peel kohlrabi? ›

Whether you're cooking kohlrabi or serving it raw, you will need to completely peel and discard the thick, tough outer layer (you may need a sharp knife for this; the skin is quite tough and indigestible). Cut the kohlrabi. To enjoy the crunch of raw kohlrabi, you'll want to cut it into delicate pieces.

How to quickly pickle vegetables? ›

Whisk vinegar, sugar, and salt in a small bowl until sugar and salt are dissolved. Add vegetables and let sit, squeezing gently with your hands occasionally to help them pickle more quickly, 10 minutes.

What is the quick pickle method? ›

All-Purpose Quick Pickling Brine

Add your washed and sliced produce, packing the jar tightly. In a medium saucepan, bring the water, vinegar, salt and sugar to a boil. Remove from heat and carefully pour into pickling jar until all contents are submerged. Close the lid on the jar tightly.

Is apple cider vinegar or vinegar better for pickles? ›

Because apple cider vinegar is made from apples rather than barley, corn rice or wine, it gives pickles a mellower taste. Using a white distilled vinegar, for example, will create a harsher flavour. But as well as being gentler on your palate, using apple cider vinegar also adds health benefits to pickles.

Do you have to boil vinegar for pickling? ›

Vinegar-based pickling is a much faster process than fermentation pickling. In its quickest form, you'll just boil a vinegar solution, pour it over the the object of your pickling desire, let it all cool and stash it in the fridge.

Is distilled vinegar the same as white vinegar? ›

Now, don't confuse distilled with basic white vinegar, which is stronger and has up to 25% acetic acid. That vinegar is sold exclusively for cleaning purposes and is not a good idea to ingest. However, beyond cooking, distilled white vinegar can be used for many of the same household chores.

Why is my kohlrabi bitter? ›

If the plants are overheated or struggling to take up water, they will produce chemicals that have strong, bitter flavors. The bulbs will also become fibrous and may crack. One inch of rainfall per week is good.

Can I freeze kohlrabi raw? ›

Storing & Cooking Information

Storing: Kohlrabi can be stored in the vegetable bin for up to a week. Freezing: Cut off tops and roots and wash well. Slice ¼-inch thick or dice into ½-inch cubes.

Can you freeze a kohlrabi? ›

Leave whole or dice in 1/2 inch cubes. Water blanch whole 3 minutes and cubes 1 minute. Cool promptly, drain and package, leaving 1/2-inch headspace. Seal and freeze.

Can I eat kohlrabi raw? ›

Kohlrabi, also called German turnip, is a cruciferous vegetable in the same family as broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, mustard greens, collards, and kale. It can be eaten raw or cooked and is a popular ingredient in salad or coleslaw.

What do we call kohlrabi in English? ›

Kohlrabi, also known as German turnip, is a cruciferous vegetable. Despite its secondary name, kohlrabi is not a root vegetable and does not belong to the turnip family.

How to speed up pickling process? ›

Once the brine is hot and ready, pour it into your jars—leaving ½ inch of headspace between the liquid and the rim for liquid-induced expansion—and screw on the lids. The heat will soften your veg a little and speed up the pickling process. Let the jars cool to room temperature, then transfer them to the fridge.

What is the difference between pickling and quick pickling? ›

Refrigerator pickles, or quick pickles. These guys aren't shelf-stable (meaning that they need to stay chilled in the refrigerator rather than at room temperature), and they won't last as long as canned pickles, but then again they don't need to because they are so delicious, crisp, and versatile.

What are the three methods of pickling? ›

There are three general methods for vinegar-brine pickling: quick-pickling, salt-brine pickling and the vinegar-brine soak and rinse method. Within those methods, there exist many variations, recipes and approaches to make things like relishes and chutneys.

Are quick pickled vegetables healthy? ›

Not only are they delicious but they're packed full of minerals, vitamins and good bacteria. Pickles have a high concentration of vitamins such as Vitamin K, Vitamin C and Vitamin A, this is due to water being drawn out of the pickles by the salty brine they are pickled in.

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